Robin Carnahan: “I am very encouraged to hear that the leadership has begun negotiations regarding the stimulus package. Congress has…”

“I am very encouraged to hear that the leadership has begun negotiations regarding the stimulus package. Congress has been paralyzed on this issue for weeks now. And while we sat here at an impasse, economists confirmed that our Nation is in a recession. We must act quickly to jump start our slowing economy. It is well past time for us to find common ground. As we seek compromise, I encourage my colleagues to keep in mind the goal of a stimulus package. In order to truly promote economic growth, the policies we approve should take effect immediately, they should have a temporary cost, and they should focus on those individuals and businesses most likely to spend and invest additional cash. These are the bipartisan principles that we started with. These principles ought to guide our negotiations now. A wide range of proposals will be on the table for this negotiation. The Republicans have a plan, and the Democrats have a plan. The Centrist Coalition has its own proposal. From among all these ideas, we must put together a balanced, reasonable package. In the end, the stimulus package needs to promote business investment, spur consumer demand, and assist those Americans who have lost their livelihoods during this recession.”